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Doug Aitken launches a multi-gallery VR experience

Open is Doug Aitken’s newest art show, and it unfolds across four digital spaces that are linked together in virtual reality.

Exhibition-goers will need to strap on an Oculus headset to view the exhibition, which is hosted on the Vortic virtual reality platform. Real-life exhibition-goers can experience Open at 303 Gallery in New York, Galerie Eva Presenhuber in Zürich, Regen Projects in LA or Victoria Miro in London, but the show can also be enjoyed remotely.

Doug Aitken, installation view of Open on Vortic VR. © Doug Aitken. Courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles

The show is a mix of real and virtual pieces, featuring previous projects made by Aitken alongside new digital renderings. Often, the exhibition blurs the lines between the two.

Doug Aitken, DRAMA (2), 2021. © Doug Aitken. Courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles

For example, a virtual courtyard shows a rotating, mirrored sculpture, while a nearby window looks onto a silver hot air balloon, in reference to Aitken’s nomadic New Horizon work, which also revolved around a hot air balloon.

To add to the experience, the digital sculpture ‘interacts’ with its environment using VR algorithms, reflecting the changing light conditions of the digital space. Other spaces are filled with lightboxes and word sculptures by Aitken, as well as fabric pieces created by the artist in the initial stages of lockdown.

Timed exhibition slots are available to book at each gallery.

Doug Aitken, installation view of Open on Vortic VR. © Doug Aitken. Courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles
Doug Aitken, installation view of Open on Vortic VR. © Doug Aitken. Courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles

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